Donald Corenman, MD, DC
Moderator
Post count: 8660

If you have a disc herniation without motor weakness, I would try the epidural steroid first. If you have motor weakness, I would go with the surgery.

Recurrence of disc herniation is about 10% with or without surgery. The disc will not regrow and the space will remain empty. However, the disc will narrow to fill in the empty space like letting some air out of a car tire.

An epidural injection might allow you to ski in two months. A surgery if performed today will also allow you to ski in 2 months.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.